Nitrogen Oxides, or "NOx"
is the term for a group of highly reactive gases, all of which contain nitrogen
and oxygen in varying amounts. Many of the nitrogen oxides are colorless and
odorless. However, one common pollutant, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) along
with particles in the air can often be seen as a reddish-brown layer over many
urban areas.

Nitrogen Oxidesform when fuel is burned at high temperatures, as in a combustion
process. The primary sources of

Reasons
for Concern regarding Nitrogen Oxides and Air Pollution

are
one of the main ingredients involved in the formation of
ground-level ozone, which can trigger serious respiratory problems.

reacts
to form nitrate particles, acid aerosols, as well as NO2,
which also cause respiratory problems.

contributes
to formation of acid rain.

contributes
to nutrient overload that deteriorates water quality.

contributes
to atmospheric particles, that cause visibility impairment most
noticeable in national parks.

reacts
to form toxic chemicals.

contributes
to global warming.

Nitrogen
oxides
and the
pollutants formed from NOx can be transported over long distances,
following the pattern of prevailing winds in the U.S. This means that
problems associated with nitrogen
oxides are not confined to areas where nitrogen
oxides are emitted.

Therefore, controlling nitrogen
oxides is often most effective if done from a
regional perspective, rather than focusing on sources in one local area.

Since
1970, EPA has tracked emissions of the six principal air pollutants -
carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, sulfur
dioxide, and volatile organic compounds. Emissions of all of these
pollutants have decreased significantly except for nitrogen
oxides which has increased approximately 10 percent over this
period.

Selective Catalytic Reduction
(SCR) is a proven and
effective method to reduce nitrogen oxides which is an air pollutant associated
with the power generation process. Nitrogen oxides are a contributor to ground
level ozone.

Selective Catalytic Reduction
Systems (SCR Systems) work similar to a catalytic converter used to reduce automobile emissions. Prior to exhaust gases going up the smokestack, they will pass through the SCR
System where anhydrous ammonia reacts with nitrogen oxide and converts it to nitrogen and water.

Selective Catalytic Reduction
Systems work similar to a catalytic converter used to reduce
automobile emissions. Prior to exhaust gases going up the smokestack, they will
pass through the SCR System where anhydrous ammonia reacts with nitrogen oxide
and converts it to nitrogen and water.

The carbon
clock tracks total carbon dioxide emissions in metric tons since 1750.

Since 1750, humans have emitted over 5 trillion pounds of carbon dioxide into
the atmosphere. Roughly half of this has ended up in the oceans where it is
beginning to damage the coral reefs. The other half is still in the atmosphere
and causing global warming. Each pound of CO2 takes up as much space as a 500
pound person.

The formula (which should be good for a year or two) is:
C(t) = 2.58 ×1012 + 1240×t, where t is seconds since the start of 2007.

Photo
courtesy of Alaska Image Library. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

“spending hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of billions of dollars every year
for oil, much of it from the Middle East, is just about the single stupidest
thing that modern society could possibly do. It’s very difficult to think of
anything more idiotic than that.”
~ R. James Woolsey, Jr., former Director, CIA